Instant thread dyeing device



Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Sept. 8, 1954 D. J.IAJOUELO INSTANT THREAD DYEING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR pay/Q5 j gjoue/o B? M ca;

ATTORNEYS Oct. 27, 1959 D. J. AJOUELO INSTANT THREAD DYEING DEVICE Filed Sept. 8, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III INVENTOR 6 1/ @bue/o anal M ATTORNEYS United States Patent ce 2,910,026 7 V 1 INSTANT THREAD DYEING DEVICE Davis J. Ajouelo, Atlanta, Ga., assig'nor, by mesne as- :signments, to Arthur H. Kern, Flushing, N.Y.

- This invention relates to thread dyeing devices and more particularly to a thread dyeing device and method dye contained therein. The support member, in addition to supporting the feeding vial, also is provided with means for holding a plurality of closed supply vials-containing different color dyes, andalso'with means for receiving a supply spool of thread.

- Further objects and advantages of the invention will 7 become apparent from the following description taken in in which thread is automatically dyed as it is being used on a sewing machine.

it is frequently necessary or desirable in sewing to use threads of different colors in the work which is being sewed. In accordance with the practice of the prior art, if it is desired to change to a different color of thread, it is necessary for the operator of the sewing machine to replace the spool of thread which she has been using with one of a different color. This requires that the spool of thread which has been in use be removed from the spool support pin and that the new spool of a different color be substituted in its place. This procedure also involves removal of the old thread from the needle and the rethr'eading of the needle with the new thread of a different color. It can be seen that this procedure iscomplicated and tedious and'tends to discourage the .use of threads of different color. Furthermore, the practice just described requires that the operator purchase and have on'hand a spool of threadof each of the different colors to be used," even though perhaps only a small amount of thread from anyone of the spools is to be used.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method which permits the instant dyeing of thread on a sewing machine as thread is being conjunction'with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of'a sewing machine having mounted thereon the instant thread dyeing device in accordance with the invention; i 'r. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sewing machine of Fig.1; v 1 7 T Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken along line Fig. 4 is an enlarged broken away, of the instant thread dyeing device;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is'a view in vertical sectionalong line 66 of Fig. 5; and a Fig. 7 is a view in vertical section along line 7--7- of side elevation view, partially- 9 Fig. 5.

' Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a sewing machine generally indicated at 10 including a vertical standard 11 which carries a horizontally extending bracket arm 12. The outer end of bracket 12 carries a vertically disposed head 14 from the lower end of which extends a needle 16. The thread dyeing device in accordance with the invention is generally indicated at 18 and is adapted to be received on the upper surface of the bracket arm 12 adjacent the spool supporting pin 20, carried by bracket arm 12.

stitched, thereby eliminating the necessity of interchanging spools of thread as previously required.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in combination with a sewing machine a means for automatically dyeing thread to any desired color as the thread is being stitched.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a device for instantly dyeing thread which is economical to manufacture and which can be sold at a reasonable price. It is a still further object of this invention to provide a thread dyeing device and method for use on sewing machines which permits a single supply spool of thread to be used for sewing in different colors rather than requiring a different spool of thread for each color. It is another object of this invention to provide an instant thread dyeing device which may be easily mounted on a sewing machine without requiring special fasten- The thread dyeing device 18 comprises asupport member generally indicated'at 21'which may be made of molded plastic or any other suitable material and which includes an upper support'surface or base 22 having;

- downwardlyi inclined longitudinal" side walls 24 and downwardly inclined end walls 26. 'The side walls 241 and the end walls 26 define a hollow enclosure beneath the support base 22. The end walls 26 are each provided with a centrally located cutaway portion adjacent their respective lower edges to define a curved edge portion 28 adapted to conform to the curved periphery usually provided on the upper surface of the cross arm 12 of most sewing machines. The-support base 22 is also provided with a plurality of countersunk cylindrical pockets or recesses 30 which, in the embodiment shown, are arranged in two longitudinally extending rows. The cutaway' curved end edges 28 are so proportioned as to maintain the lower surfaces of the countersunk pockets 30 above the top surface of bracket arm 12 when the thread dyeing device 18 is in the position shown in Fig. l.

ing means for its attachment, and which also maybe easily removed from the sewing machine when not in use.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a thread dyeing device which may be used as an accessory on a sewing machine and which includes means for dispensing a quick drying liquid dye to a thread as it is being stitched, and also means for storing containers of other liquid dyes which are not in use.

In achievement of these objectives, this invention provides a thread dyeing device comprising a support member adapted to be received on the bracket arm of a sewing machine and having provided thereon a means for supporting a vial-like container of liquid dye in a feeding position, with means for conducting a thread to be dyed adjacent the feeding vial and in contact with the liquid The support base 22 is also provided adjacent one of its ends with an aperture 32 which is adapted to receive the spool supporting pin 20 attached to the upper surface of bracket arm 12. A slotted aperture 3-4 is also provided adjacent the opposite end of the support base 22 to receive an additional spool support pin provided on some domestic sewing machines.

The countersunk recesses 30 are adapted to receive aplurality of vial-like glass containers 36 which hold fastdrying liquid dyes of various colors. The vials which are not being used are closed air tight by means of screw caps 37 which prevent evaporation of the liquid dye contained within the vials, the caps 37 being received in the recesses 30. The internal diameter of each recess 30 is such as to provide a frictional engagement between the cap and the recess sufiicient to securely maintain the vial in position, but yet such as to permit easy withdrawal of the vial from the recess by the operator when desired.

The countersunk pocket indicated at 30' located at the left-hand end of the support base 22 serves as the 10- Patented Oct. 2 1 19 59 cation of the thread dyeing container or vial 36' which is in use and is provided with a support means generally indicated at 38 for holding the vial 36 in feeding position. The particular vial which is being supportedin feeding position is, indicated at 36', in order to, distinguish it from the other vials 36 which are not in use; The vial support means 38 includes a base portion 40 having a diameter which permits it to be force fitted. into the pocket or recess 30'. The base portion 40 extends above the upper surface of the support base22 and terminates in a substantially horizontal upper surface 42. Rigidly attached to base portion 40' is. a hollow sleeve-like member 44 which may either be integral with the base portion 40 or which may be aseparate member. rigidly attached to the upper end of base portion 40. The sleeve 44 is open at its upper. end and is provided with a pair, of diametrically opposed axially. extending slots 46 to receive the thread which is tobe dyed. A spring-clamp member of generally U- shape designated at 48 isdisposedWithin the hollow interioi' of the sleeve'portion 44 in order to grip and; hold the outer'surface of the vial member 36 positioned within the sleeve 44.

The vial 36' which contains the dye of the desired colo to which the thread is to be dyed is disposed with its cap 37 removed in an inverted position within the sleeve portion so that the mouth of the vial is disposed adjacent and in facing relation to the-upper horizontal surface .42 of thebase portion 40. A felt-like packing member 50 is provided in the neck portion 39 of each of the jvials 36 and 36 in order to control the gravity feed of the ,dye and to serve as a wiper for the dye as it is being applied to the thread. The outer surface of the felt packing should preferably extend a slight distance beyond the end of the neck 39 of the vial in order to assure proper contact with the thread as it passes by the mouth of the vial. In order to prevent the felt packing from dropping into the interior of the vial and also in order to assure that the outer surface of the packing projects the desired slight distance be.-

yond the mouth ofthe: vial, aretaining or positioningmeans-indicated at 52 is provided inside each of the vials. This retaining means 52 in the form shown is a straight As the sewing machine is operated to sew a work piece, thread 56 passes in contact with the surface of felt packing 50 and absorbs the liquid dye from the felt packing, the surface of the packing in contact with the thread providing a wiping action at the same time that it feeds the dye to the thread to thereby cause the dye to be evenly spread on the thread.

If it is desired to change to a difierentcolor. dye, the vial 36' 'is removed, its cap 37 is replaced, and'a different vial is substituted in its place. This may be done without removing the supply spool 54 from pin andmerely requires the substitution of a different dye containing vial 36.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided for use in combination with a sewing machine in accordance with this invention an instant thread dyeing device which has great practical advantages and which I permits the instant dyeing of thread as it is being stitched.

The device is conveniently mounted on the sewing machinewithout the necessity of special attachment means, and may be easily removed when not in use. The device and method of the invention avoids the necessity of keeping a supply of spools of thread of different colors interchangeability of different colors of dyes. Furthermore, the device of the invention is economical to manufacture and may be sold at a nominal price.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications wire-like member anchored at one end in the felt packing member and having a hooked portion at its opposite end which engages the inner surface of the bottom'of the vial.

In using the instant thread dyeing device hereinbefore described, the support member 21 is positioned on the upper surface of the bracket arm,12 of the sewing ma chine, the spool support pin 20 of .the arm 12 passing throughthe aperture 32 in the support base 22 of the thread dyeing device. A spool 54 of white thread is positioned on the spool supportpin 20, the lower surface of spool 54 resting on the upper surface of support base 22. The thread 56 is conducted lengthwise of the base 22 and threaded through the oppositely-disposed vertical slots 46 of sleeve member 44, the thread resting on the upper horizontal surface 42 of base portion 40 of vial support 38. The thread is then conducted in the conventional manner along the head 14 and thence is threaded into the needle 16. vThe distributor vial 36' containing the liquid dye of the desired color is then positioned, with its may be made therein and, therefore, it is aimed to .cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

For use with a sewing machine having a cross arm and a spool pin upon said cross arm; a thread dyeing device comprising a base adapted to be supported on said cross arm, said base having an opening therein for receiving said spool pin to thereby locate said base upon said cross arm, a plurality of dye container supporting pockets locatedon the upper surface of said base, at least one of said pockets having a sleeve projecting upwardly therefrom, said sleeve having upwardly open slots in opposed sides thereof, and means within said sleeve for supporting a dye container within said sleeve in position to apply dye to thread guided through said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 238,816 Strait Mar. 15, 1881 1,034,832 Plaatje Aug. 6, 1912 1,758,101 Bates May 13,1930 1,990,907 Kellogg Feb. 12, 1935 2,310,764 Denhof Feb. 9, 1943 2,410,336 Carter et al Oct. 29, 1946 2,418,035 Lachapelle Mar. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 123,144 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1927 

